Google Home vs. Amazon Echo: A Face-Off of Smart Speakers - The New York Times

Also see OK, Alexa: A Google Home Versus Amazon Echo IQ Test (Wired) and Mossberg: Google Home shows promise, but needs work (Recode)

"Echo and Home are largely the same in the basic tasks they can perform. The capabilities that Home currently lacks, like movie showtimes or support for other smart home accessories, will probably show up in software updates or future partnerships.

So what really distinguishes one from the other? Right now, Echo’s major advantage is its ability to order items from Amazon.com and its broader smart home capabilities. If you like the idea of using a speaker to quickly reorder diapers or toilet paper, or if you are eager to get a speaker to control home accessories like lights and thermostats, Echo is a better product for you.

But if you aren’t big on Amazon shopping and can wait a few months to see how Home evolves, Google’s speaker may be your long-term bet because of its smarter artificial intelligence and superior audio player. Home, priced at about $130, is also cheaper than Amazon’s $180 Echo."

Google Home vs. Amazon Echo: A Face-Off of Smart Speakers - The New York Times